Bicycle pedal and shoe connection system and method

ABSTRACT

A pedal connection arrangement and method are used to hold a bicycle rider&#39;s foot attached to a bicycle pedal that is in turn used to drive a bicycle crank arm having a crank arm longitudinal axis. The bicycle connection arrangement includes a pedal having a pedal longitudinal axis. The pedal is connected to the crank arm with the pedal longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the crank arm longitudinal axis. The pedal connection arrangement and method also include a bicycle shoe having a gripping arrangement. The gripping arrangement has a longitudinal axis that runs generally along the ball of the shoe in a plane parallel to the sole of the shoe and generally perpendicular to a line extending from the toe of the shoe through the heel of the shoe. The gripping arrangement is configured such that the gripping arrangement grips the pedal when the gripping arrangement is positioned such that the longitudinal axis of the gripping arrangement is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the pedal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to bicycle components andmore specifically to pedal and pedal to shoe connection assemblies andmethods.

[0002] Presently, bicycles have grown to a high level of popularity andmany bicycles are highly specialized for certain applications. Thesespecialized applications impose extraordinary requirements on variousbicycle components. Despite these extraordinary requirements, many ofthe basic bicycle components have remained relatively unchanged forquite some time. For occasional riders, bicycles in their present formmay be sufficient. However, specialty bicycles such as mountain bikes,racing bikes, daily commute bikes, and other specialized bikes have manycomponents that could be significantly improved. One such component isthe bicycle crank assembly.

[0003] Current crank assemblies are made up of a spindle that is mountedwithin a bottom bracket of a bicycle frame for rotation about a crankassembly rotational axis. Right and left crank arms are attached to thespindle and right and left pedals are attached to the ends of the rightand left crank arms. The crank arms and spindle are often subjected tosubstantial stresses. Often times the rider has minimal time to react tochanging trail or road conditions such as rough terrain or potholes.These jarring trail and road conditions place a heavy burden upon themechanical integrity of the crank assembly.

[0004] The pedals, crank arms, and spindle have the severe task ofcarrying the majority of the rider's weight, the impact loads caused byrough terrain, as well as transforming the riders leg motions into thetorque that propels the rider and the bicycle. Therefore, the crankassembly is subjected to a significant amount of torque. The continuouscranking motion, combined with the high degree of torque, over anextended period of time, causes wear and may eventually lead to thefailure of the crank arm and/or the point where the crank arm connectsto the spindle.

[0005] The most widely accepted crank arm/spindle connection systemcurrently available is a system that utilizes a right and left crankarm, usually made of an aluminum alloy, and a hardened steel or titaniumspindle. The spindle has four flats machined at a slight angle on eachend of the spindle creating a tapered protruding square. The taperedprotruding square usually is about ½″ to ⅝″ in length. The crank arm hasa mating tapered square cavity formed into one end of the crank arm. Theattachment of the crank arm to the spindle is achieved by pressing thetapered square cavity of the crank arm over the tapered squareprotrusion of the spindle. This press fit typically relies on distortionat the points of contact between the crank and the spindle to hold thecrank arm engaged with the spindle. A nut or bolt is also typicallytightened against the outer portion of the crank arm to hold the crankarm onto the spindle.

[0006] While the tapered square configuration may seem at first glance aviable and economical method of attaching the crank arms to the spindle,it suffers in one major area. Although the tapered square may adequatelytransfer the torque from the rider to drive system, it does not do avery good job of preventing the crank arm from rocking or oscillating onthe spindle. This oscillating motion in which the crank arm rocksindependently of the spindle occurs because of the excessive, andconstantly changing loads imposed on the crank system.

[0007] With continued use, the oscillating motion may deform the shapeof the tapered square connection system. Once enough deformation occurs,the crank arms become useless. There are shapes other than taperedsquares that are currently used to transfer of torque between the crankarm and the spindle such as a spline or a tapered spline. Some include aspline in conjunction with a clamping arrangement that further tightensthe splined portion of the crank arm around the mating splined portionof the spindle. Regardless of the shape used in transferring torque fromthe crank arm through the spindle to the other crank arm, all of thesystems could be improved through a system that would eliminate theindependent oscillating movement of the crank arms on the spindle.

[0008] Additionally, with the tapered square configuration, a crank armpuller is typically required in order to remove the crank arms from thespindle. This is a difficult and time consuming procedure. Manybicyclists are not willing to take on this procedure and therefore thisconfiguration discourages the proper servicing of the spindle componentssuch a spindle bearings. Also, in the case of racing bikes, a brokencrank arm or spindle of this type during the course of a race virtuallyinsures that the racer is out of the race due to the time required tochange the spindle or crank arm.

[0009] The present invention discloses an improved crank arm/spindleconnection arrangement that utilizes two spaced apart load bearingsurfaces for interconnecting two separate spindle portions. The twospaced apart load bearing surfaces provide a stabilized connectionarrangement for interconnecting the two spindle portions. A novel splinearrangement is also disclosed for interconnecting the two spindleportions. This two piece spindle arrangement eliminates the conventionalconnection points between each of the crank arms and the spindle.

[0010] Another problem with conventional crank arm systems is that thechain rings that are driven by the crank arms are typically attached tothe inside of the crank arms. Because of this configuration, the crankarm typically needs to be removed in order to remove the chain rings. Asmentioned above, since a crank puller is typically required to removethe crank arm, it is difficult to quickly remove and replace a chainring. The present invention discloses a quick change chain ringarrangement that allows the chain ring to be removed and replacedwithout requiring the crank arm to be removed.

[0011] In conventional crank assemblies, the chain rings are typicallyfixed to the associated crank arm as mentioned above. Because of this,it can be difficult to properly align the chain rings with other bicyclecomponents such as a front derailleur. Often times, a specialty bike isassembled from components provided by a variety of manufacturers. Thesemanufacturers often have varying spacing and positioning requirementsfor their components. This further contributes to the difficulties inproperly aligning the various components of the bicycle. The presentinvention discloses a chain ring alignment system that allows theposition of the chain rings of the crank assembly to be adjusted alongthe crank assembly rotational axis.

[0012] In many circumstances, it would be desirable to provide crankarms with a larger crank arm radius. This would provide greater leverageto the rider and allow more driving force to be exerted for a givenamount of effort from the rider. However, the length of the crank armsof conventional crank assemblies are limited by the ground clearance ofthe crank arms. Also, as the crank arm radius is increased, the ridermust move the pedals around a larger circumference which takes a longeramount of time. This takes away from the leverage benefits provided bylonger crank arms. The present invention discloses a variable lengthcrank arm arrangement that allows the crank arm length to be increasedduring the downward stroke of the crank arm rotation and shortenedduring the upward stroke. This increases the leverage available to therider during the downward stroke of the pedal rotation, as would be thecase with a longer fixed crank arm. However, the variable length crankarm reduces the distance the pedal is required to travel during a crankassembly rotation compared to a longer fixed crank. Furthermore, thevariable length crank arm arrangement may be configured to increase theground clearance of the crank assembly.

[0013] Another problem associated with conventional crank assembliesinvolves currently available arrangements for connecting a bicycle shoeto a pedal. Typically, bicycle shoes include a clip for attaching theshoe to the pedal. These clips are normally engaged by properly aligningthe clip on the shoe with an associated protrusion on one of the flatsof the pedal. This arrangement requires the rider to first position thepedal with the protrusion facing up and then align the clip on the shoewith the protrusion before engaging the clip. This can be an awkwardprocedure that can at times be dangerous. Also, once clipped in, theconnection may be difficult to quickly disengage causing potentialsafety concerns. The present invention discloses a bicycle shoe to pedalconnection arrangement that simplifies the process of engaging anddisengaging the shoe to pedal connection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] As will be described in more detail hereinafter, a pedalconnection arrangement and method for holding a bicycle rider's footattached to a bicycle pedal that is used to drive a bicycle crank armhaving a crank arm longitudinal disclosed. The pedal connectionarrangement and method include a pedal having a pedal longitudinal axis.The pedal is connected to the crank arm with the pedal longitudinal axissubstantially perpendicular to the crank arm longitudinal axis. Thepedal connection arrangement and method also include a bicycle shoehaving a gripping arrangement. The gripping arrangement has alongitudinal axis that runs generally along the ball of the shoe in aplane parallel to the sole of the shoe and generally perpendicular to aline extending from the toe of the shoe through the heel of the shoe.The gripping arrangement is configured such that the grippingarrangement grips the pedal when the gripping arrangement is positionedsuch that the longitudinal axis of the gripping arrangement is generallyaligned with the longitudinal axis of the pedal.

[0015] In one embodiment, the pedal connection arrangement and methodinclude a pedal that has a radially symmetrical cross sectional shapealong the pedal longitudinal axis and the gripping arrangement has amating radially symmetrical cavity thereby allowing the grippingarrangement to be connected to the pedal with the pedal in any positionwithout regard for the rotational position of the pedal about the pedallongitudinal axis. The pedal may have a shape selected from the group ofa cylindrical shape, a spherical shape, and a combination of acylindrical shape and a spherical shape and the gripping arrangement hasa mating cavity. In one version of this embodiment, the pedal has aspherical shape and the gripping arrangement has a mating sphericalcavity that allows the pedal to be securely connected to the shoe, yetremain free to swivel or pivot to a predetermined degree, thereby givingmore flexibility for maneuverability while maintaining positive contactbetween the shoe and the pedal.

[0016] The gripping arrangement may be an independently formed grippingdevice that is attached to the bicycle shoe. Alternatively, the grippingarrangement may be formed as part of the bicycle shoe.

[0017] In another embodiment, the gripping arrangement is made from apliable material that allows a rider to release the shoe from the pedalby bending their toes up out of a natural relaxed position causing thegripping arrangement to flex thereby expanding the gripping arrangementon the bottom of the shoe and causing the gripping arrangement torelease the pedal. This configuration also allows a rider to moretightly grip the pedal by bending their toes down out of a naturalrelaxed position causing the gripping arrangement to flex therebycompressing the gripping arrangement on the bottom of the shoe andcausing the gripping arrangement to more tightly grip the pedal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The features of the present invention may best be understood byreference to the following description of the presently preferredembodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first embodiment ofa bicycle crank arm assembly designed in accordance with the invention.

[0020]FIG. 2 is exploded view of the crank arm assembly of FIG. 1.

[0021]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the crank arm assembly of FIG.1 taken along section 4-4.

[0022]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the spindle portions of thecrank arm assembly of FIG. I taken along section 4-4.

[0023]FIG. 5 is a partially exploded and partially cut away view of thecrank arm assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating one embodiment of a connectiondevice for connecting the spindle portions.

[0024]FIG. 6A is a partially exploded view of one embodiment of atapered pin retention device in accordance with the invention.

[0025]FIG. 6B is an exploded view of one embodiment of a biasingarrangement in accordance with the invention for exerting an equalamount of pressure on each of the tapered pins of the tapered pinretaining device of FIG. 6A.

[0026]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of connection device of FIG. 5.

[0027]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a variablelength crank arm arrangement designed in accordance with the invention.

[0028]FIG. 9 is a second perspective view from a different angle of thevariable length crank arm arrangement of FIG. 8.

[0029]FIG. 10 is a third perspective view of a portion of the variablelength crank arm arrangement of FIG. 8.

[0030]FIG. 11 is a plan view of a pedal designed in accordance with theinvention.

[0031]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a bicycle shoe designed inaccordance with the invention.

[0032]FIG. 13 is a cross sectional perspective view of one embodiment ofa splined bearing cartridge assembly designed in accordance with theinvention.

[0033]FIG. 14 is a partially exploded view of the splined bearingcartridge assembly of FIG. 13.

[0034] FIGS. 15A-E are partially cut away perspective views of thebicycle crank arm assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating the removal of thequick change chain ring support in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0035]FIG. 16 is a partially cut away perspective view of anotherembodiment of a quick change chain ring arrangement in accordance withthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] An invention is described for providing an improved bicyclecrank. In the following description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the presentinvention. It will be obvious, however, to one skilled in the art, thatthe present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of specificconfigurations. Also, well known bicycle components and hardware havenot been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure thepresent invention.

[0037] Turning to the drawings, wherein like components are designatedby like reference numerals throughout the various figures, attention isinitially directed to FIGS. 1-4. These figures illustrates a variousviews of a first embodiment of a crank arm assembly 100 designed inaccordance with the invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of theassembly, FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the assembly, FIG. 3 is a crosssectional view of the assembly, and FIG. 4 is a cross sectional detailview of the spindle portions of the assembly.

[0038] Crank arm assembly 100 includes a spindle connection arrangement102 for connecting a crank arm 104 to bicycle crank arm assembly 100.Spindle connection arrangement 102 is also used to connect crank armassembly 100 to a bicycle frame along a spindle rotational axis 106around which crank arm assembly 100 is intended to rotate when spindleconnection arrangement 102 is connected to a bicycle frame.

[0039] Spindle connection arrangement 102 includes a first spindleportion 108, shown in FIGS. 2-4, fixed to and extending outward fromcrank arm 104 along spindle rotational axis 106. First spindle portion108 has two load bearing surfaces 110 and 112, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,that are spaced apart from one another along the length of spindlerational axis 106. A second spindle portion 114 also has two loadbearing surfaces 116 and 118 that are spaced apart from one anotheralong spindle rotational axis 106. As shown best in FIGS. 3 and 4,second spindle portion 114 is configured to concentrically mate withfirst spindle portion 108 about spindle rotational axis 106. In theembodiment shown, second spindle portion 114 is provided as a spindleportion that extends outwardly from a second crank arm 115.

[0040] As will be described in more detail hereinafter, spindleconnection arrangement 102 also includes a connection device 120 (shownin FIG. 3) that connects first spindle portion 108 to second spindleportion 114 such that the two load bearing surfaces 110 and 112 of firstspindle portion 108 each engage an associated one of the two loadbearing surfaces 116 and 118 of second spindle portion 114. The twopairs of engaging, spaced apart, load bearing surfaces provideinterconnecting surfaces for connecting the first and second spindleportions. These two spaced apart load bearing surfaces prevent onespindle portion from oscillating independently from the other andprevent the spindle portions from becoming misaligned from one anotherwhen the two spindle portions are connected using connection device 120.

[0041] In the embodiment shown, load bearing surfaces 110 and 116 arespaced apart from load bearing surfaces 112 and 118 by an air gap 121that ensures these two pairs of mating surfaces form two spaced apartload bearing, engaging surfaces. Although these load bearing surfacesare shown as being separated by an air gap, this is not a requirement ofthe invention. Instead, the present invention would equally apply solong as the two load bearing portions of the load bearing surfaces arespaced apart from one another.

[0042] The two spaced apart load bearing surfaces, referred tohereinafter as two point stabilization, eliminates the conventionalconnection between a crank arm and spindle. This two point stabilizationapproach creates and maintains a secure connection between the crank armand the spindle. Because the loads imposed on the crank system aredistributed over, and shared by two separate, spaced apart load bearingsurfaces, the two point stabilization approach provides a much morereliable crank arm/spindle connection arrangement compared toconventional methods of connecting a crank arm to a spindle.

[0043] A spindle connection arrangement in accordance with the inventionprovides the additional benefit that this arrangement may be provided ata lighter weight than conventional spindle configurations withoutsacrificing strength and durability. This is because the loads imposedon the spindle by the crank arms are distributed over the two spacedapart bearing surfaces rather than being concentrated on the taperedsquare protrusion of conventional crank arm spindles. Also, because thesecond spindle portion 114 may be provided as a tube extending from thesecond crank arm 115 as illustrated in FIG. 3, a grease fitting 122 andgrease ports 124 (shown best in FIG. 2) may be easily incorporated intothe design. The grease ports 124 could be positioned to provide greaseto all of the moving parts of the assembly without sacrificing thestrength of the connection arrangement. This would allow regularservicing of the moving parts within the crank assembly withoutrequiring the disassembly of the crank assembly.

[0044] Although the spindle connection arrangement illustrated in FIGS.1-4 uses two spindle portions with one portion extending from each ofthe crank arms, this is not a requirement of the invention. Instead,this arrangement could include a three piece spindle. In this case, bothof the crank arms would have a spindle portion similar to spindleportion 108 extending from the crank arm along the spindle rotationalaxis. Each of these crank arm spindle portions would attach to aseparate, third spindle portion using the two point stabilizationapproach described above.

[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, a spline arrangement for connectingspindle portions 108 and 114 of crank assembly 100 will be described. Inaccordance with one aspect of the invention, spindle connectionarrangement 102 includes at least one tapered bore 126 formed into oneof the pairs of load bearing surfaces of spindle connection arrangement102. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, six tapered bores 126 are formedinto load bearing surfaces 110 and 116. Each of the tapered bores has alongitudinal axis that extends along the engaging load bearing surface110 of first portion 108 and surface 116 of second spindle portion 114.Approximately half of tapered bores 126 (indicated by reference numeral126 a in FIG. 5) are formed longitudinally into load bearing surface 110of spindle portion 108 and the other half of tapered bores 126(indicated by reference numeral 126 b in FIG. 5) are formedlongitudinally into load bearing surface 116 of spindle portion 114.

[0046] In this embodiment, connection device 120 takes the form of areplaceable spline device 128. Spline device 128 includes at least onetapered pin 130 held in an associated tapered bore 126 so as to preventcrank arm 104 from rotating independently of spindle portion 114. In theembodiment being described, spline device 128 includes six tapered pins130. Spline device 128 also includes a tapered pin retention device 132,which will be described in more detail hereinafter, for holding taperedpins 130 within tapered bores 126. Although spline device 128 isdescribed as including six tapered pins, this is not a requirement ofthe invention. Instead, it should be understood that any number oftapered pins may be used and still remain within the scope of theinvention.

[0047] One of the main advantages of the tapered pin spline arrangementis that the tapered pin spline mechanism is extremely simple and costeffective to manufacture compared to other conventional splinearrangements. The boring operation required to bore the tapered borescan be performed with a simple drilling or milling machine and a rotarytable. The tapered pins can be run on a screw machine lathe costeffectively. Therefore, sophisticated machining equipment is notrequired in order to produce a tapered pin spline arrangement. Thisreduces the cost of producing this type of spline arrangement.

[0048] Another advantage of the tapered pin spline arrangement is thattapered pins 126 can be made from a lower strength material than thesurrounding area of the spindle portions. With this configuration, thetapered pins are able to act as fuses in the event of an overload ofstress applied to the crank set by shearing before permanent damageoccurs to the spindle portions. Replacement tapered pins could beprovided to the bike owner at significantly less cost than the cost ofreplacing the entire crank set which is required when conventional cranksets fail.

[0049] Although connection device 120 has been described as being splinedevice 128, this is not a requirement of the invention. Instead, anyconventional connection device such as a bolt or a threaded stud may beused to hold spindle portion 108 engaged with spindle portion 114 andstill remain within the scope of the invention so long as spindleportions 108 and 114 have two spaced apart bearing surfaces as describedabove.

[0050] In the embodiment described above, the number of tapered boresand associated tapered pins is a multiple of three. This allows the useof a tapered pin retaining device 132 in accordance with the invention.As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6A, one embodiment of tapered pinretention device 132 includes a washer 134 having holes or openings 136cut into a peripheral edge portion 138 of washer 134. Openings 136 areformed such that the outside diameter of the openings are a size thatallows tapered pins 130 to be pressed into the openings and retained bywasher 134. This allows tapered pins 130 to be simultaneously insertedinto tapered bores 126 for ease of assembly.

[0051] In the embodiment shown, the portions of tapered pins 130 thatare pressed into opening 136 have a slightly smaller diameter than theremainder of tapered pins 130. This smaller diameter, indicated byreference numeral 140, assists in holding tapered pins captured withinopenings 136. Also, the smaller diameter portions 140 of tapered pins130 extend along the length of tapered pins 130 for a distance greaterthan the thickness of washer 134. This allows some freedom of movementfor the pins within the washer along the longitudinal axis of thetapered pins. This also forms heads 141 on tapered pins 130 at the endsof tapered pins 130 that are opposite the ends of the tapered pins thatare inserted into tapered bores 126. As will be described immediatelyhereafter, this freedom of movement along the longitudinal axis of thetapered pins helps allow tapered pins 130 to be held within taperedbores 126 with equal amounts of pressure on each tapered pin.

[0052] Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, a biasing arrangement 142designed in accordance with the invention will be described. In theembodiment shown, tapered pin retention device 132 also includes abiasing arrangement 142 for placing an equal amount of pressure on eachof heads 141 of tapered pins 130. Biasing arrangement 142 includes afastener 143, such as a bolt, that is used to draw biasing arrangement142 against heads 141 of tapered pins 130. Biasing arrangement 142 alsoincludes a triangular shaped piece for every three tapered pins. In thiscase, since six tapered pins are used, two triangular pieces 144 and 146are used. Triangular shaped piece 144 and 146 are separated by twoBelleville spring washers 148. Triangular piece 146 and the head offastener 143 are also separated by a Belleville spring washer 148.Washers 148 are sloped, as shown best in FIG. 7, so as to allowtriangular pieces 144 and 146 some degree of freedom to wobble relativeto the longitudinal axis of fastener 143 which, in this case, coincideswith the spindle rotational axis 106. This helps allows triangularpieces 144 and 146 to exert an equal amount of pressure on each taperedpin.

[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 6B, triangular piece 146 has protrusionsat the comers that act as locators for triangular piece 144 which has noprotrusions. This keeps the triangular pieces aligned with respect tothe spacing of the tapered pins. Therefore, only one step is required toalign the triangles with the heads of the tapered pins.

[0054] The reason for the triangles is to assure that equal pressure isplaced on all pins. Since three points define a plane, theoretically, ifthree pins were slightly higher than the rest, these three pins wouldreceive the majority of the pressure if a simple bolt and washer wereused to compress all six of the tapered pins. This may not be a problemif only three tapered pins were used, however, the triangular shapestill directs bolt pressure better than a conventional washer and iseasier to position properly on the tapered pins.

[0055] Biasing arrangement 142 is designed so that triangular piece 144will touch its three tapered pins first since it is originally slightlycloser to the heads of the pins than triangular piece 146. Springwashers 148 take up the slack and put pressure on triangular piece 144until the two triangular pieces share the same approximate level. Asfastener 143 is tightened further, both triangles are then underpressure. Both triangular pieces, while they get there pressure from thesame bolt, are able to rock independently of each other to adjust toslight tapered pin height variations because of the Belleville springwashers. The spring washers also apply back pressure on the head offastener 143 which helps prevent it from loosening on its own. With thisarrangement, all of the tapered pins receive substantially an equalamount of pressure, thereby insuring that each of the tapered pins isheld firmly within tapered bores 126.

[0056] Although tapered pin retention device 132 is described asincluding biasing arrangement 142 and washer 134 for holding pins 130together, these components are not requirements of the invention.Instead, any appropriate pin retention mechanism may be utilized to holdtapered pins 130 within tapered bores 126 and still remain within thescope of the invention.

[0057] Although the above described spline device 128 has been describedas being used to connect the two spindle portions of a bicycle crank armassembly, it should be understood that this novel spline arrangement maybe used to connect a wide variety of rotational members. For example, inanother embodiment of the invention, the above described spline deviceis used in a spline arrangement for interconnecting a drive member and adriven member such that the drive member is able to rotationally drivethe driven member about a given rotational axis. Using the example ofthe above described spindle arrangement, the drive member may be thefirst spindle portion 108 protruding from crank arm 104 and the drivenmember may be second spline portion 114.

[0058] Referring back to FIGS. 1-3, a quick change chain ringarrangement 150 in accordance with the invention for use on a bicyclecrank arm assembly such as crank assembly 100 will be described. Asmentioned above, crank arm assembly 100 includes two crank arms 104 and115 that rotate about spindle rotational axis 106 Each crank armincludes a pedal mounting point 151 for receiving a pedal (not shown inFIGS. 1-3). The crank arms have a crank arm length L1 extending from theend of the crank arm that attaches to the spindle to the end of thecrank arm in which pedal mounting point 151 is located. Each crank armdefines a crank arm longitudinal axis L2. The crank arms have a crosssectional shape along the crank arm length perpendicular to the crankarm longitudinal axis. This cross sectional shape defines a maximumcross sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the crankarm. In the case of crank arm 115, this maximum cross sectional area islocated at point A along crank arm length LI where the crank armintersects with spindle rotational axis 106.

[0059] As best shown in FIG. 2, quick change chain ring arrangement 150includes a chain ring adapter 152 that attaches to crank assembly 100such that adapter 152 rotates with the crank assembly about spindlerotational axis 106. A removable chain ring support 154 is engaged withchain ring adapter 152. Chain ring support 154 has an inside diameterlarge enough that it may be removed from the bicycle without requiringthe removal of the crank arm. That is, chain ring support 154 has aminimum inside opening 155 formed into chain ring support 154 that islarger than the maximum cross sectional area of the crank arms locatedat point A. This allows chain ring support 154 to be installed onto andremoved from the crank assembly without requiring the removal of thecrank arms from the crank assembly and without requiring the removal ofthe crank assembly from the bicycle frame. A removable connecting device156 retains removable chain ring support 154 on chain ring adapter 152.As will be described in more detail hereinafter, inside opening 155 ofchain ring support 154 may also be made large enough that it will fitaround a pedal that is installed in pedal mounting point 151 therebyallowing chain ring support 154 to be removed from the crank assemblywithout requiring the pedals to be removed.

[0060] In accordance with the invention, chain ring support 154 has ashape that allows the chain ring support to mate with chain ring adapter152 so that torque may be transmitted between chain ring adapter 152 andchain ring support 154 about crank assembly or spindle rotational axis106 without requiring the use of fasteners or other load bearing devicesto transmit the torque between chain ring adapter 152 and chain ringsupport 154. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, inside opening155 of chain ring support 154 has a splined shape 157 and the chain ringadapted has a mating splined shape 158 (shown best in FIG. 2) for matingwith a splined shape 157 of the chain ring support. This interlockingconfiguration allows torque to be transmitted about the crank assemblyrotational axis between the chain ring adapter and the chain ringsupport without requiring the use of fasteners or other load bearingdevices to transmit the torque between the chain ring adapter and thechain ring support. This arrangement provides the benefit that the chainring adapter may be driven in a rotational manner by the splined chainring support about the crank assembly rotational axis, yet is free to beeasily removed when pulled in a direction parallel with the crankassembly rotational axis.

[0061] Although chain ring adapter 152 and chain ring support 154 havebeen described as having mating splined shapes, this is not arequirement of the invention. Instead, it should be understood thatshapes other than a splined shape may be used to provide torquetransmitting, mating surfaces between the chain ring adapter and thechain ring support. Any desired shape may be utilized and still remainwithin the scope of the invention so long as the shape provides therequired torque transmitting characteristics about the spindle or crankarm rotational axis.

[0062] As mentioned above, quick change chain ring arrangement 150 alsoincludes removable retaining device 156 that retains removable chainring support 154 engaged with chain ring adapter 152. In the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1-3, removable retaining device 156 is a removablethreaded ring that threads onto the splined adapter in a manner thatholds chain ring support 154 aligned with the splined adapter 154. Thisallows threaded ring 156 to hold the spline shape 157 of chain ringsupport 154 engaged with splined shape 158 of chain ring adapter 152 andprevents movement of chain ring support 154 in a direction parallel tocrank assembly or spindle rotational axis 106. Because threaded ring 156is not used to transmit torque between chain ring adapter 152 and chainring support 154, and because there are not substantial forces exertedaxially on chain ring support 154 parallel with spindle rotational axis106, threaded ring 156 does not need to be torqued tightly against chainring support 154. Instead, threaded ring 156 only needs to be tightenedto the extent that it does not come lose due to normal vibration duringthe use of the bicycle. This means that threaded ring 156 may beconfigured such that it only needs to be tightened by hand withoutrequiring the use of tools to torque threaded ring 156 against chainring support 154. With this configuration, the chain ring support of thepresent invention may be changed very quickly, without requiring the useof any tools.

[0063] In the embodiment shown, removable threaded ring 156 also has aninside diameter D (shown best in FIG. 15A) larger than the maximum crosssectional area of the crank arms and the pedals. As was described abovefor chain ring support 154, this allows removable threaded ring 156 tobe removed from the bicycle crank assembly without requiring the removalof the crank arms or pedals and without requiring the removal of thecrank assembly from the bicycle frame. In order to facilitate the easyremoval of threaded ring 156, threaded ring 156 may further include agripping arrangement 159 for allowing the threaded ring to be removed byhand without requiring the use of any tools. As illustrated in FIG. 1,gripping arrangement 159 takes the form of a textured surface on theexposed surface of threaded ring 156.

[0064] Referring now to FIGS. 15A-E, the process of removing andreplacing chain ring support 154 will be described in detail. As shownin FIGS. 15B-E and in accordance with one embodiment of the invention,chain ring support 154 may be removed without requiring the removal ofthe crank arms or pedals (indicated by reference numerals 250) from thecrank arm assembly and without requiring the removal of the crank armassembly from the bicycle (represented in FIGS. 15A-E by partially cutaway bicycle frame 206).

[0065] As illustrated in FIG. 15B, pedal 250 has a pedal length L3 thatdefines a pedal longitudinal axis L4 around which the pedal is intendedto rotate. Pedal 250 has a cross sectional shape perpendicular to pedallongitudinal axis L4 that defines a maximum cross sectional areaperpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In the example illustrated inFIG. 15B this maximum cross sectional area perpendicular to longitudinalaxis L4 exists along the length of the main body of the pedal and may berepresented by the cross section that would be obtained by taking asection of pedal 250 through section line S-S.

[0066] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15A-E, the assembly includeschain ring adapter 152 that is connected to and rotates with crankassembly 100 about crank assembly or spindle rotational axis 106.Removable chain ring support 154 is also provided and it removablyengages with chain ring adapter 152. As described above, chain ringsupport 154 has a minimum inside opening 155 formed into the chain ringsupport that is larger than the maximum cross sectional area of crankarm 115. As also described above, chain ring support 156 has a shapethat allows the chain ring support to mate with chain ring adapter 152so that torque may be transmitted between the chain ring adapter and thechain ring support about crank assembly rotational axis 106 withoutrequiring the use of fasteners or other load bearing devices to transmitthe torque between the chain ring adapter and the chain ring support.Removable retaining device 156 is also provided for retaining removablechain ring support 154 engaged with chain ring adapter 152.

[0067] In this embodiment, removable retaining device 156 is firstremoved. This is accomplished by unscrewing threaded ring 156, theretaining device of this embodiment, from a threaded portion 254 ofchain ring adapter 152. Because threaded ring 156 has a large insidediameter D, it may be pivoted around the spindle end of crank arm 115 atpoint A so that it can be slid along the length of crank arm 115 asshown in FIG. 15B. Once threaded ring 156 has been pivoted around pointA and slid along the length of crank arm 115, it is pivoted around thepedal end of crank arm 115 at the point that crank arm 115 and pedal 250are connected as illustrated in FIG. 15C. Again, since threaded ring 156has a large inside diameter, it may be slid along the length of pedal250 and removed from the assembly.

[0068] Removable chain ring support 154 may now be removed in a mannersimilar to that described above for threaded ring 156. Again, becausechain ring support 154 is formed with large opening 155, chain ringsupport 154 may be removed by manipulating chain ring support 154 aroundpoint A at the spindle end of crank arm 115, sliding it along the lengthof the crank arm, pivoting it around the point at which pedal 250 isconnected to crank arm 115, and finally sliding chain ring support 154over the length of pedal 250 as illustrated in FIGS. 15D and 15E. Theremovable chain ring support may then be replaced with a replacementchain ring support by performing the same steps described above in thereverse order and as illustrated by viewing FIGS. 15A-E in reverseorder.

[0069]FIG. 16 illustrates some variations on the above describedembodiment. As described above, this embodiment includes splined chainring adapter 152 (not shown). However, the crank assembly includesthreaded ring 256 with protrusions 258 and chain ring support 260 toreplace chain ring support 154 and threaded ring 156 of the previousembodiments. Threaded ring 256 provides the function of the chain ringsupport retaining device in a manner similar to that described above forthreaded ring 156. However, in this example, threaded ring 256 includesprotrusions 258 that are designed to provide a more substantial grippingarrangement compared to the gripping arrangement described above.Because of the large diameter of threaded ring 256, and because of thelarge gripping protrusions 258 extending out from threaded ring 256,threaded ring 256 may be easily removed by hand without requiring theuse of a tool.

[0070] Chain ring support 260 includes a splined opening similar to thatdescribed above for chain ring support 154 and is designed to engagewith chain ring adapter 152 in the same way that was previouslydescribed. As mentioned above, because threaded ring 256 is designed toonly hold chain ring support 260 engaged with chain ring adapter 152,threaded ring 256 does not need to be overly tightened in order toretain chain ring support 260 engaged with chain ring adapter 152.

[0071] Chain ring support 260 further includes an actual chain ring 262formed as an integral part of chain ring support 260. It should also beunderstood that additional chain rings may be attached to chain ringsupport 260 in order to provide multiple chain rings if desired.

[0072] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, quick change chainring arrangement 150 uses a splined chain ring adapter 152 that attachesto crank assembly 100 such that the splined adapter rotates with thecrank assembly about spindle rotational axis 106. Chain ring support 154has a spline shape that mates with splined adapter 152 such that chainring support 154 is driven in a rotational manner by splined chain ringadapter 152 about spindle rotational axis 106. In this embodiment,removable connecting device 156 takes the form of a removable threadedring that threads into splined adapter 152 in a manner that compresseschain ring support 154 against splined adapter 152. This threaded ringholds the spline shape of the chain ring engaged with the splinedadapter and prevents unwanted movement of the chain ring in a directionparallel to the spindle rotational axis. However, with the threaded ringremoved, the chain ring is free to be removed when pulled in a directionparallel with the crank assembly rotational axis. This allows theremoval of the chain ring without requiring the removal of either of thecrank arms of the crank assembly.

[0073] In the embodiment shown, the crank assembly is a mountain bikecrank assembly that includes mounting points for three front sprockets.As will be described in more detail immediately hereinafter, the quickchange chain ring arrangement illustrated allows the outer and middlechain rings or sprockets to be removed without removing the crank arm inliterally a matter of seconds. This enables the rider to quickly changethe gearing of their bicycle through different sized front chain rings,and encourages the rider to properly clean the main chain rings toincrease life and increase performance through a properly cleaned andlubricated chain rings.

[0074] Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, a chain ring alignment system 160designed in accordance with the invention will now be described. Chainring alignment system 160 includes a chain ring adapter, such as chainring adapter 152 described above, for supporting a chain ring. Chainring adapter 152 is mounted to crank assembly 100 for rotation with thecrank assembly about spindle rotational axis 106. However, chain ringadapter 152 is axially movable along spindle rotational axis 106 betweena retracted position and an extended position. A driving mechanism 162is connected to crank arm 115 for rotationally driving chain ringadapter 152 about spindle rotational axis 106 while allowing the chainring adapter to move axially from the retracted position in which chainring adapter 152 is furthest from crank arm 115 to the extended positionin which chain ring adapter 152 is closest to crank arm 152. Anadjusting device 164 is provided for moving chain ring adapter 152axially along spindle rotational axis 106 between the retracted positionand the extended position, independently from crank arm 115. Thisenables the proper alignment of chain ring adapter 152 relative to othercomponents on the bicycle without requiring the axial movement of thecrank arms and without requiring the crank arms to be positioned offcenter with reference to the bicycle frame.

[0075] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, chain ring adapter152 includes a threaded portion having a longitudinal axis about spindlerotational axis 106. In the embodiment shown, the threaded portion isactually provided as a separate threaded ring 167 that is press fit intochain ring adapter 152. Chain ring adapter 152 also includes two drivingholes 166 having a longitudinal axis parallel spindle rotational axis106. Driving mechanism 162 includes two driving bosses 168 that protrudeout from crank arm 115. The bosses have a longitudinal axis that extendsparallel to the crank assembly rotational axis. Bosses 168 areconfigured to engage driving holes 166 in chain ring adapter 152 inorder to be capable of rotationally driving chain ring adapter 152 aboutspindle rotational axis 106 with the rotation of crank assembly 100. Thebosses also allow axial movement of the chain ring adapter along thespindle rotational axis from the retracted position to the extendedposition. Adjusting device 164 takes the form of a threaded adjustmentdial 170 and a retaining flange piece 172. Threaded adjusting dial 170has threads that match the threaded portion 166 of chain ring adapter152. Threaded adjustment dial 170 is configured to move chain ringadapter 152 between the retracted position to the extended position asindicated by arrow 174 in FIG. 2 when threaded adjustment dial 170 isturned into and out of the matching threads of chain ring adapter 152.Retainer flange piece 172 is press fit onto spindle portion 114 suchthat threaded adjustment dial 170 is prevented from separating fromthreaded ring 167 of chain ring adapter 152 when the chain ringalignment system is attached to the crank assembly.

[0076] The above described chain ring alignment system allows a rider toadjust their chain rings without a tool. This uniquely allows the chainring to move independently of the crank arm and spindle, thus enablingthe crank arms and spindle to remain perfectly centered in reference tothe center of the bicycle frame. Aside from adjusting the linearposition of the chain rings, the chain ring alignment system alsoprovides a unique connection between the chain rings and the drivingcrank arm. Unlike all conventional crank systems, the chain rings of thechain ring alignment system of the present invention are not bolteddirectly or clamped to the driving crank arm. Instead, the chain ring isdriven by bosses 168. This allows the alignment of the chain rings tostay perpendicular to the spindle rotational axis, and remain virtuallyunaffected by any crank arm flex that can oscillate the chain rings.

[0077] Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, a variable length crank armarrangement 200 designed in accordance with the invention and for use ona bicycle crank arm assembly 202 is also disclosed. Variable lengthcrank arm arrangement 200 includes a spindle 204 for attaching the crankassembly to a bicycle frame 206. Spindle 204 has a spindle bearingsurface 208, shown best in FIG. 10, for mounting spindle 204 to thebicycle such that the spindle is free to rotate about a spindlerotational axis 210. A fixed crank arm 212 (not shown in FIG. 10),having a longitudinal axis 214 (shown in FIG. 8) extending substantiallyperpendicular to spindle rotational axis 210, is fixed to spindle 204for rotation with spindle 204 about spindle rotational axis 210. Afloating crank arm 216, having a longitudinal axis that coincides withlongitudinal axis 214 of fixed crank arm 212, is slidably connected tofixed crank arm 212 to allow floating crank arm 216 to move in a linearmotion along longitudinal axis 214 of fixed crank arm 212 whilemaintaining a common longitudinal axis with fixed crank arm 212. Acontrol bracket 218 (shown best in FIG. 9) is fixed to bicycle frame206. Control bracket 218 may be a separate piece that is attached to aconventional bicycle frame as illustrated in FIG. 9, or alternatively,the control bracket may be provided as an integral part of the of thebicycle frame as illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0078] Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, control bracket 218 includes arotational control bearing surface 220 that defines a control rotationalaxis 222 that is parallel with, but spaced apart from, spindlerotational axis 210. Control bearing surface 220 has a control bearingradius 224 with control bearing surface 220 being positioned such thatspindle rotational axis 210 falls within control bearing radius 224 whenviewed in a plane perpendicular to spindle rotational axis 210. Acontrol arm 226 is attached to control bracket 218 for rotation aboutcontrol axis 222 along control bearing surface 220. Control arm 226 isrotatably attached to floating crank arm 216 such that the longitudinalaxis of the floating crank arm is able to remain perpendicular tospindle rotational axis 210.

[0079] With the variable length crank arm arrangement configurationdescribed above, floating crank arm 216 causes control arm 226 to rotateabout control rotational axis 222 and causes fixed crank arm 212 torotate about spindle rotational axis 210 as floating crank arm 216 isrotated about control rotational axis 222 by a rider. This causesfloating crank arm 216 to move back and forth along longitudinal axis214 of fixed crank arm 212 relative to spindle rotational axis 210. Dueto the spacing between spindle rotational axis 210 and controlrotational axis 222, floating crank arm 216 pivots slightly back andforth relative to control arm 226 as the variable length crank armarrangement is rotated by the rider. The overall length of thecombination of the fixed crank arm and the floating crank arm variesalong their common longitudinal axis by a distance equal to twice thespacing between the control rotational axis and the spindle rotationalaxis.

[0080] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-10, fixed crank arm 212includes two rods 213A and 213B that are designed to slidably mate withor engage two openings 217A and 217B formed into floating crank arm 216.Openings 217A and 217B have bearings, bushings, or some other readilyprovidable arrangement fit into the openings for receiving rods 213A and213B such that the rods may easily slide within openings 217A and 217 bwhile transferring any crank arm loads or forces between floating crankarm 216 and fixed crank arm 212. This two-rod configuration provides twospaced apart connection points between floating crank arm 216 and fixedcrank arm 212. These spaced apart connection points stabilize theconnection between floating crank arm 216 and fixed crank arm 212. Thisconfiguration may also allow lighter weight components to be used forthe slidable connection arrangement than would otherwise be possibleusing an arrangement that utilized, for example, a fixed crank armhaving only a single rod slidably engaging a single opening on thefloating crank arm. Although the embodiment shown utilizes two rods asthe means for slidably connecting fixed crank arm 212 and floating crankarm 216, it should be understood that other slidable connectionarrangements may be utilized so long as floating crank arm 216 is ableto slidably move relative to fixed crank arm 212 as described herein.

[0081] In one embodiment of the variable length crank arm, controlrotational axis 222 is spaced apart from spindle rotational axis 210 bya distance in the range of about ½″ to ⅞″. In this embodiment, controlrotational axis 222 is located above and toward the front of the bikerelative to spindle rotational axis 210. This causes the overall lengthof the combination of fixed crank arm 212 and floating crank arm 216 tobe greatest during the downward stroke of the crank arm arrangement asthe bicycle is being ridden. This also causes the overall length of thecombination of fixed crank arm 212 and floating crank arm 216 to beleast during the upward stroke of the crank arm arrangement. Therefore,this configuration provides most of the leverage benefits of a longercrank arm with no added circumference. This leverage advantage may beincreased by increasing the spacing between the control rotational axisand the spindle rotational axis.

[0082] Besides the increase in power, this variable length crank armarrangement, may be configured to increase the ground clearance of thecrank assembly. This is accomplished by locating the control rotationalaxis above the spindle rotational axis. An added benefit of theincreased ground clearance is that this system allows for moresuspension travel on a suspension bicycle where often times moresuspension travel is desired, yet the ground clearance of the pedals isthe limiting factor.

[0083] One of the unique features of the variable length crank armarrangement of the invention lies in the fact that it utilizes amultiple bearing housing with eccentric bearing axis. This is a simpleconfiguration that can either be adapted to current bicycle frames asshown in FIG. 9 or incorporated in to the frame or sub-frame of bicyclesin the future as illustrated in FIG. 8. This configuration also providesa very durable and stable configuration due to the positioning of thespindle rotational axis within the radius of the larger control armbearing surface and due to the relatively few pieces required to providethe arrangement.

[0084] Referring now to FIGS. 8, 11, and 12, a pedal connectionarrangement designed in accordance with the invention will be described.FIG. 8 illustrates a pedal 300 attached to the variable crank armarrangement described above. FIG. 11 is a plan view of pedal 300. And,FIG. 12 illustrates a bicycle shoe 302 designed in accordance with theinvention that is configured to attach to pedal 300.

[0085] As illustrated by FIG. 12, the pedal connection arrangement ofthe invention is designed to hold a bicycle shoe attached to a bicyclepedal. As is the case for conventional bicycles, pedal 300 is used todrive a bicycle crank arm having a crank arm longitudinal axis. Pedal300 has a pedal longitudinal axis 304. The pedal is connected to a crankarm, such as variable length crank arm arrangement 200 of FIG. 8, withpedal longitudinal axis 304 substantially perpendicular to the crank armlongitudinal axis 214. The pedal connection arrangement also includesbicycle shoe 302 having a gripping arrangement 306 attached to the shoe.Gripping arrangement 306 has a longitudinal axis, also indicated byreference numeral 304 in FIG. 12. Longitudinal axis 304 runs generallyalong the ball of the shoe in a plane parallel to the sole of the shoeand perpendicular to a line extending from the toe of the shoe throughthe heel of the shoe. Gripping arrangement 306 is configured such thatthe gripping arrangement grips pedal 300 when gripping arrangement 308is engaged with pedal 300 with the longitudinal axis of the grippingarrangement coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the pedal. This maybe accomplished by positioning the gripping arrangement on the shoeadjacent to pedal 300 with longitudinal axis 304 of gripping arrangement306 aligned with longitudinal axis 304 of pedal 300 and then moved alongthe common longitudinal axes 304 of gripping arrangement 306 and pedal300 to engage pedal 300 as indicated by arrow 308.

[0086] In the embodiment of the pedal connection arrangement shown,pedal 300 has a radially symmetrical cross sectional shape along pedallongitudinal axis 304 and gripping arrangement 306 has a mating radiallysymmetrical cavity 310. This configuration allows gripping arrangement306 to be connected to pedal 300 with pedal 300 in any position withoutregard for the rotational position of the pedal about the pedallongitudinal axis. Pedal 300 may have a shape selected from the group ofa cylindrical shape, a spherical shape, and a combination of acylindrical shape and a spherical shape. As mentioned above, grippingarrangement 306 has a similarly mating cavity. In the specificembodiment shown, the pedal has a central spherical shape 312 andgripping arrangement 306 has a mating spherical cavity 314. This allowsthe pedal to be securely connected to the shoe, yet remain free toswivel or pivot to a predetermined degree, thereby giving moreflexibility for maneuverability to the rider while maintaining positivecontact between the shoe and the pedal.

[0087] Gripping arrangement 306 may be an independently formed grippingdevice that is attached to a separate bicycle shoe as indicted by dashedline 318 in FIG. 12. Alternatively, the gripping arrangement may beformed as part of bicycle shoe 302 as described above. Grippingarrangement 306 may also be made from a pliable material that allows therider to engage the shoe with and release the shoe from the pedal bybending the toe of the shoe up out of a natural relaxed position asindicated by arrow 318 and dashed line 320 in FIG. 12. This causesgripping arrangement 306 to flex. This flexing of the foot causesgripping arrangement 306 to expand on the bottom of the shoe andtherefore causes the gripping arrangement to easily be engaged with orreleased from the pedal. An additional benefit to this pliable materialis that the rider may also “grip” the pedal more tightly by flexing thetow of the shoe downward. This downward flexing causes grippingarrangement 306 to more tightly grip pedal 300.

[0088] Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, a bearing housing arrangement foruse on a bicycle crank assembly, designed in accordance with theinvention, will now be described. In the embodiment shown, crankassembly 100 includes two bearing housing arrangements 400 and 402.Bearing housing arrangements 400 and 402 respectively include threadedhousing portions 404 and 406 that have external threads 408 and 410 forthreading threaded housing portions 404 and 406 into mating threadsprovided in a conventional bottom bracket of a bicycle frame. Thesethreaded portions 404 and 406 provide an arrangement for connectingcrank assembly 100 to the bicycle frame.

[0089] In the embodiment shown, bearing housing arrangements 400 and 402are configured to house needle bearings, (not shown in the figures).Therefore, threaded housing portions 404 and 406 also include needlebearing surfaces as indicated by surface 412 of threaded housing portion404. Bearing housing arrangements 400 and 402 also include removableneedle bearing races 414 and 416. These removable bearing races 414 and416 are pressed onto associated spindle portions 108 and 114.

[0090] As illustrated best in FIGS. 2 and 3, bearing housing arrangement400 also includes a thrust bearing 418, a thrust bearing spacer 420, athrust bearing seal 422, and a threaded bearing housing retaining ring424. Thrust bearing housing retaining ring 424 threads onto threadedbearing housing portion 404 to retain the outside diameter, or fixedportion, of thrust bearing 418 in its proper position. This axiallylocates thrust bearing 418 in its proper location in reference to thebicycle frame. The proper positioning of the rotating portion of crankassembly 100 is then achieved as one side of the inside diameter, orrotating portion, of thrust bearing 418 is positioned against spacer 420which is positioned against a thrust bearing shoulder 426 on spindleportion 108.

[0091] As illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, removable bearing race 414includes a shoulder 430 and a flange 431. Also spindle portion 108includes a shoulder 432 and spindle portion 114 includes a shoulder 434.The side opposite retaining ring 424 of the rotating portion of thrustbearing 418 is positioned against a flange 431 of removable bearing race414. Shoulder 430 of removable bearing race 414 fixes removable bearingrace 414 in its axial position along spindle rotional axis 106 in itsproper position relative to spindle portions 108 and 114, as it isclamped between shoulder 432 of spindle portion 108 and shoulder 434 ofspindle portion 114.

[0092] Spindle portion 108 further includes an additional shoulder 436.Seal 422 is then positioned between shoulder 436 of spindle portion 108and bearing spacer 420 to prevent the entry of dirt and othercontaminants into thrust bearing 418 or the needle bearings. This thrustbearing configuration prevents movement of the spindle arrangementaxially along spindle rotational axis 106 when the spindle arrangementis connected to the bottom bracket of a bicycle frame.

[0093] The bearing housing arrangements described above allow for mucheasier removal and disassembly of the spindle bearings compared toconventional spindle bearing arrangements. This encourages propermaintenance of these components. Also, by providing bearing races 414and 416 as separate press fit pieces rather than integral parts ofspindle portions 108 and 114, these bearing races may be easily replacedwithout having to discard the spindle portions.

[0094] Most BMX bicycle frames use bearing cups that press fit into thebottom bracket shell of the bicycle frame as opposed to threading in tothe bottom bracket as described above. This press fit bearingconfiguration is not very suitable for conventional needle bearingbecause the housing of a typical needle bearing is relatively flimsy.Therefore, the distortion caused by the dramatic press fit (which canvary between different BMX frames) could place a distorted load on theneedle bearing. This press fit configuration also discourages propercare and or replacing of the needle bearings since they would be fairlydifficult to remove once installed. To overcome this problem, thepresent invention provides a splined bearing cartridge assembly thatisolates the press fit portion of the bearing arrangement from thebearings. As will be described in more detail hereinafter, this isaccomplished by placing the bearings in a removable cartridge.

[0095] Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, a splined bearing cartridgesystem 500, designed in accordance with the invention, will bedescribed. In the embodiment shown, splined bearing cartridge 500includes two bearing rings 502 and 504 that are designed to be press fitinto a bottom bracket of a bicycle frame such as a BMX bicycle frame.Splined cartridge system 500 also includes a bearing cartridge 506 and alock ring 508. In this embodiment, bearing ring 502 has a spline shape510 formed into an interior portion of bearing ring 502. Bearingcartridge 506 has a mating spine shape 504 that is designed to mate withspline shape 510 of bearing ring 502.

[0096] As illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, splined shape 512 of bearingcartridge 506 is mated with spline shape 510 of bearing ring 502 suchthat bearing cartridge 506 extends longitudinally along a spindlerotational axis 514 when assembly 500 inserted within a bottom bracketof a bicycle frame. The press fit of bearing ring 502 and the splineshapes of bearing cartridge 506 and bearing ring 502 prevent thecartridge from rotating independently of the bottom bracket of thebicycle frame.

[0097] In the embodiment being described, bearing cartridge 506 has athreaded portion 516 at the end opposite spline shape 512. Lock ring 508is configured to thread onto threaded portion 516 of bearing cartridge506 so that it retains spline shape 512 of bearing cartridge 506 engagedwith spline shape 510 of bearing ring 502. This cartridge arrangementallows for easy removal of the bearings from the bottom bracket formaintenance and inspection purposes. This cartridge arrangement alsoacts as a convenient sealing system that prevents water or otherunwanted elements from entering into the needle bearings.

[0098] Although bearing rings 502 and 504 have been described as beingdesigned to be press fit into the bottom bracket of a bicycle frame,this is not a requirement. Instead, in situations in which the bottombracket is threaded, bearing rings 502 and 504 would include anexternally threaded portion for mating with the threaded portions of thebottom bracket.

[0099] Although the above described embodiments have been described withthe various components having particular respective orientations, itshould be understood that the present invention may take on a widevariety of specific configurations with the various components beinglocated in a wide variety of positions and mutual orientations and stillremain within the scope of the present invention. The present inventionwould equally apply to these various configurations. Therefore, thepresent examples are to be considered as illustrative and notrestrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details givenherein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bicycle pedal for use in a pedal connectionarrangement for holding a bicycle rider's foot attached to a bicyclepedal that is used to drive a bicycle crank arm having a crank armlongitudinal axis, the bicycle pedal comprising: a pedal body having apedal longitudinal axis, the pedal body being connected to the crank armwith the pedal longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to thecrank arm longitudinal axis; the pedal being adapted to receive abicycle shoe including a gripping arrangement, the gripping arrangementhaving a longitudinal axis that runs generally along the ball of theshoe in a plane parallel to the sole of the shoe and generallyperpendicular to a line extending from the toe of the shoe through theheel of the shoe, the gripping arrangement being configured such thatthe gripping arrangement grips the pedal when the gripping arrangementis positioned such that the longitudinal axis of the grippingarrangement is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of thepedal.
 2. A pedal according to claim 1 wherein the pedal has a radiallysymmetrical cross sectional shape along the pedal longitudinal axis andthe gripping arrangement has a mating radially symmetrical cavitythereby allowing the gripping arrangement to be connected to the pedalwith the pedal in any position without regard for the rotationalposition of the pedal about the pedal longitudinal axis.
 3. A pedalaccording to claim 2 wherein the pedal has a shape selected from thegroup of a cylindrical shape, a spherical shape, and a combination of acylindrical shape and a spherical shape and the gripping arrangement hasa mating cavity.
 4. A pedal according to claim 3 wherein the pedal has aspherical shape and the gripping arrangement has a mating sphericalcavity that allows the pedal to be securely connected to the shoe, yetremain free to swivel or pivot to a predetermined degree, thereby givingmore flexibility for maneuverability while maintaining positive contactbetween the shoe and the pedal.
 5. A pedal according to claim 1 whereinthe gripping arrangement is an independently formed gripping device thatis attached to the bicycle shoe.
 6. A pedal according to claim 1 whereinthe gripping arrangement is formed as part of the bicycle shoe.
 7. Apedal according to claim 1 wherein the gripping arrangement is made froma pliable material that allows a rider to release the shoe from thepedal by bending their toes up out of a natural relaxed position causingthe gripping arrangement to flex thereby expanding the grippingarrangement on the bottom of the shoe and causing the grippingarrangement to release the pedal.
 8. A pedal according to claim 1wherein the gripping arrangement is made from a pliable material thatallows a rider to more tightly grip the pedal by bending their toes downout of a natural relaxed position causing the gripping arrangement toflex thereby compressing the gripping arrangement on the bottom of theshoe and causing the gripping arrangement to more tightly grip thepedal.
 9. A bicycle shoe for use in a pedal connection arrangement forholding a bicycle rider's foot attached to a bicycle pedal that is usedto drive a bicycle crank arm having a crank arm longitudinal axis, thebicycle pedal having a pedal longitudinal axis, the pedal beingconnected to the crank arm with the pedal longitudinal axissubstantially perpendicular to the crank arm longitudinal axis, the shoecomprising: a gripping arrangement, the gripping arrangement having alongitudinal axis that runs generally along the ball of the shoe in aplane parallel to the sole of the shoe and generally perpendicular to aline extending from the toe of the shoe through the heel of the shoe,the gripping arrangement being configured such that the grippingarrangement grips the pedal when the gripping arrangement is positionedsuch that the longitudinal axis of the gripping arrangement is generallyaligned with the longitudinal axis of the pedal.
 10. A bicycle shoeaccording to claim 9 wherein the pedal has a radially symmetrical crosssectional shape along the pedal longitudinal axis and the grippingarrangement has a mating radially symmetrical cavity thereby allowingthe gripping arrangement to be connected to the pedal with the pedal inany position without regard for the rotational position of the pedalabout the pedal longitudinal axis.
 11. A bicycle shoe according to claim10 wherein the pedal has a shape selected from the group of acylindrical shape, a spherical shape, and a combination of a cylindricalshape and a spherical shape and the gripping arrangement has a matingcavity.
 12. A bicycle shoe according to claim 11 wherein the pedal has aspherical shape and the gripping arrangement has a mating sphericalcavity that allows the pedal to be securely connected to the shoe, yetremain free to swivel or pivot to a predetermined degree, thereby givingmore flexibility for maneuverability while maintaining positive contactbetween the shoe and the pedal.
 13. A bicycle shoe according to claim 12wherein the gripping arrangement is an independently formed grippingdevice that is attached to the bicycle shoe.
 14. A bicycle shoeaccording to claim 9 wherein the gripping arrangement is formed as partof the bicycle shoe.
 15. A bicycle shoe according to claim 9 wherein thegripping arrangement is made from a pliable material that allows a riderto release the shoe from the pedal by bending their toes up out of anatural relaxed position causing the gripping arrangement to flexthereby expanding the gripping arrangement on the bottom of the shoe andcausing the gripping arrangement to release the pedal.
 16. A bicycleshoe according to claim 17 wherein the gripping arrangement is made froma pliable material that allows a rider to more tightly grip the pedal bybending their toes down out of a natural relaxed position causing thegripping arrangement to flex thereby compressing the grippingarrangement on the bottom of the shoe and causing the grippingarrangement to more tightly grip the pedal.
 17. A pedal connectionarrangement for holding a bicycle rider's foot attached to a bicyclepedal that is used to drive a bicycle crank arm having a crank armlongitudinal axis, the bicycle connection arrangement comprising: apedal having a pedal longitudinal axis, the pedal being connected to thecrank arm with the pedal longitudinal axis substantially perpendicularto the crank arm longitudinal axis; and a bicycle shoe including agripping arrangement, the gripping arrangement having a longitudinalaxis that runs generally along the ball of the shoe in a plane parallelto the sole of the shoe and generally perpendicular to a line extendingfrom the toe of the shoe through the heel of the shoe, the grippingarrangement being configured such that the gripping arrangement gripsthe pedal when the gripping arrangement is positioned such that thelongitudinal axis of the gripping arrangement is generally aligned withthe longitudinal axis of the pedal.
 18. A pedal connection arrangementaccording to claim 17 wherein the pedal has a radially symmetrical crosssectional shape along the pedal longitudinal axis and the grippingarrangement has a mating radially symmetrical cavity thereby allowingthe gripping arrangement to be connected to the pedal with the pedal inany position without regard for the rotational position of the pedalabout the pedal longitudinal axis.
 19. A pedal connection arrangementaccording to claim 18 wherein the pedal has a shape selected from thegroup of a cylindrical shape, a spherical shape, and a combination of acylindrical shape and a spherical shape and the gripping arrangement hasa mating cavity.
 20. A pedal connection arrangement according to claim19 wherein the pedal has a spherical shape and the gripping arrangementhas a mating spherical cavity that allows the pedal to be securelyconnected to the shoe, yet remain free to swivel or pivot to apredetermined degree, thereby giving more flexibility formaneuverability while maintaining positive contact between the shoe andthe pedal.
 21. A pedal connection arrangement according to claim 17wherein the gripping arrangement is an independently formed grippingdevice that is attached to the bicycle shoe.
 22. A pedal connectionarrangement according to claim 17 wherein the gripping arrangement isformed as part of the bicycle shoe.
 23. A pedal connection arrangementaccording to claim 17 wherein the gripping arrangement is made from apliable material that allows a rider to release the shoe from the pedalby bending their toes up out of a natural relaxed position causing thegripping arrangement to flex thereby expanding the gripping arrangementon the bottom of the shoe and causing the gripping arrangement torelease the pedal.
 24. A pedal connection arrangement according to claim17 wherein the gripping arrangement is made from a pliable material thatallows a rider to more tightly grip the pedal by bending their toes downout of a natural relaxed position causing the gripping arrangement toflex thereby compressing the gripping arrangement on the bottom of theshoe and causing the gripping arrangement to more tightly grip thepedal.
 25. A method for holding a bicycle rider's foot attached to abicycle pedal that is used to drive a bicycle crank arm having a crankarm longitudinal axis, the method comprising the steps of: providing apedal having a pedal longitudinal axis, the pedal being connected to thecrank arm with the pedal longitudinal axis substantially perpendicularto the crank arm longitudinal axis; providing a bicycle shoe including agripping arrangement, the gripping arrangement having a longitudinalaxis that runs generally along the ball of the shoe in a plane parallelto the sole of the shoe and generally perpendicular to a line extendingfrom the toe of the shoe through the heel of the shoe, and using thegripping arrangement to grip the pedal when the gripping arrangement ispositioned such that the longitudinal axis of the gripping arrangementis generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the pedal.
 26. Amethod according to claim 25 wherein the pedal has a radiallysymmetrical cross sectional shape along the pedal longitudinal axis andthe gripping arrangement has a mating radially symmetrical cavitythereby allowing the gripping arrangement to be grip the pedal with thepedal in any position without regard for the rotational position of thepedal about the pedal longitudinal axis.
 27. A method according to claim26 wherein the pedal has a shape selected from the group of acylindrical shape, a spherical shape, and a combination of a cylindricalshape and a spherical shape and the gripping arrangement has a matingcavity.
 28. A method according to claim 27 wherein the pedal has aspherical shape and the gripping arrangement has a mating sphericalcavity that allows the pedal to be securely gripped by the shoe, yetremain free to swivel or pivot to a predetermined degree, thereby givingmore flexibility for maneuverability while maintaining positive contactbetween the shoe and the pedal.
 29. A method according to claim 25wherein the gripping arrangement is an independently formed grippingdevice that is attached to the bicycle shoe.
 30. A method according toclaim 25 wherein the gripping arrangement is formed as part of thebicycle shoe.
 31. A method according to claim 25 wherein the grippingarrangement is made from a pliable material that allows a rider torelease the shoe from the pedal by bending their toes up out of anatural relaxed position causing the gripping arrangement to flexthereby expanding the gripping arrangement on the bottom of the shoe andcausing the gripping arrangement to release the pedal.
 32. A methodaccording to claim 25 wherein the gripping arrangement is made from apliable material that allows a rider to more tightly grip the pedal bybending their toes down out of a natural relaxed position causing thegripping arrangement to flex thereby compressing the grippingarrangement on the bottom of the shoe and causing the grippingarrangement to more tightly grip the pedal.